Begum Hazrat Mahal

Begum Hazrat Mahal was the queen of Awadh who became a major leader of the Great Rebellion of 1857, organising resistance against British rule in Lucknow.

• She was the wife of Wajid Ali Shah, the ruler of Awadh. In 1856, the British annexed Awadh and removed him from power, creating deep anger among its people.
• During the rebellion, she took charge in Lucknow and declared her young son, Birjis Qadr, the ruler of Awadh. This gave the resistance a political leader as well as a military purpose.
• She united soldiers, local chiefs, peasants, and townspeople to defend Lucknow against British forces. Her leadership showed that the uprising was not limited to sepoys; many sections of society opposed British control.
• After Queen Victoria promised that the British would respect Indians’ religions, Begum Hazrat Mahal publicly questioned this promise. She pointed to earlier British actions that had interfered with Indian rulers, landholders, and communities.
• When British forces recaptured Lucknow, she refused to surrender and fled to Nepal, where she later died. Her courage made her an important symbol of resistance to colonial rule.